{{short description|German World War II flying ace}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Use American English|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox military person |name= Hans Strelow |image=Hans Strelow.jpg |caption=Strelow as a ''Leutnant'' |birth_date=26 March 1922 |death_date={{death date and age|1942|5|22|1922|3|26|df=y}} |birth_place=Berlin, Germany |death_place=east of Mtsensk, Soviet Union |allegiance={{flag|Nazi Germany}} |branch={{air force|Nazi Germany}} |service_years= |rank=''Leutnant'' (second lieutenant) |unit=JG 51 "Mölders" |commands=5./JG 51 |battles={{hidden |''See battles'' |{{plainlist| *World War II *:Eastern Front *::Operation Barbarossa *::Battle of Moscow }} |- |headerstyle=background:#dbdbdb |style=text-align:center; }} |awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |other_work= }}
''' Hans Strelow''' (26 March 1922 – 22 May 1942) was a Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a fighter ace credited with 68 enemy aircraft shot down in over 200 combat missions, all of which claimed over the Eastern Front.
Born in Berlin, Strelow volunteered for military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1939. Following flight training, he was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) in 1941 and participated in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. He claimed his first aerial victory on 25 June 1941. In February 1942, Strelow was appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of the 5. ''Staffel'' (5th squadron) of JG 51. Following his 52nd aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 March 1942. Six days and 14 aerial victories later, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves making him the youngest recipient of the Oak Leaves. Following a forced landing behind enemy lines, Strelow committed suicide on 22 May 1942 to avoid capture by Soviet forces.
==Early life and career== Strelow was born on 26 March 1922 in Berlin of the Weimar Republic, the son of a teacher at a ''Volksschule''. Following graduation from school, he joined the military service of the Luftwaffe in 1939. Following flight training as a fighter pilot,{{refn|Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.{{sfn|Bergström|Antipov|Sundin|2003|p=17}}|group="Note"}} he was posted to the 5. ''Staffel'' (5th squadron) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 "Mölders" (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing), a squadron of II. ''Gruppe'' (2nd group) of JG 51, in 1941 holding the rank of ''Leutnant'' (second lieutenant).{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=390}} At the time, II. ''Gruppe'' was commanded by ''Hauptmann'' Josef Fözö,{{sfn|Aders|Held|1993|p=248}} and 5. ''Staffel'' was headed by ''Oberleutnant'' Hans Kolbow.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=277}}
==World War II== World War II in Europe had begun on Friday, 1 September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland. In early June 1941, II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 51 was withdrawn from the English Channel and ordered to Dortmund where the unit was reequipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F series. On 10 June, II. ''Gruppe'' began transferring east and was located at Siedlce. On 22 June, German forces launched Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=266}} JG 51, under the command of ''Oberstleutnant'' Werner Mölders, was subordinated to II. ''Fliegerkorps'' (2nd Air Corps), which as part of ''Luftflotte'' 2 (Air Fleet 2). JG 51 area of operation during Operation Barbarossa was over the right flank of Army Group Center in the combat area of the 2nd Panzer Group as well as the 4th Army.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=206}}
===Operation Barbarossa=== On 23 June, II. ''Gruppe'' followed the German advance and relocated {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} east to an airfield at Terespol on the Bug. Two days later, the ''Gruppe'' claimed 28 Tupolev SB-2 bombers shot down, including Strelow's first aerial victory claimed northeast of Vyhanaščanskaje Lake.{{sfn|Weal|2007|p=13}} The German advance required the ''Gruppe'' to relocate approximately {{convert|220|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} east to an airfield at Nowo-Hutkowo near Slutsk on 28 June.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=266, 280}} Two days later, II. ''Gruppe'' engaged in aerial combat near Babruysk where Strelow claimed his second aerial victory when he shot down a Ilyushin DB-3 bomber.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=267, 280}} For these victories, Strelow received the Iron Cross 2nd Class ({{Lang|de|Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse}}) on 5 July.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=390}} The German advance reached the Dnieper on 9 July.{{sfn|Aders|Held|1993|p=91}}
thumb|left|Map indicating Operation Barbarossa's attack plan|alt=A map of Eastern Europe depicting the movement of military units and formations. German forces breached the Stalin Line and II. ''Gruppe'' was moved to an airfield at Stara Bychow, approximately {{Convert|50|km|mi|abbr=off}} south of Mogilev on the Dnieper on 12 July. Operating from this airfield on 16 July, Strelow claimed a Vultee V-11 attack aircraft which was an Ilyushin Il-2 attack aircraft.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=269, 282}} That day, 5. ''Staffel'' commanding officer Kolbow was killed in action and was replaced by ''Leutnant'' Hans-Joachim Steffens. Steffens was killed in action on 30 July and command of 5. ''Staffel'' was then given to ''Oberleutnant'' Hartmann Grasser.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=271}} Following further relocations, II. ''Gruppe'' reached an airfield at Schatalowka, present-day Shatalovo air base, {{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} southeast of Smolensk, on 17 August.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=271}} The ''Gruppe'' claimed eleven aerial victories on 30 August, including three by Strelow who shot down two Petlyakov Pe-2 bombers an I-18 fighter, an early German designation for a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 fighter.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=11, 272, 284}} On 23 August, elements of II. ''Gruppe'' also operated from an airfield near Gomel.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=277}} On 6 September, Strelow claimed another I-18 fighter followed by an I-61 fighter, an early German designation for a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 fighter, the following day near Konotop.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=11, 285}} On 10 September, the ''Gruppe'' relocated again and moved to Novhorod-Siverskyi situated on the bank of the Desna River. On 13 September, Strelow claimed DB-3 bomber followed by a Pe-2 bomber east of Konotop the next day, taking his total to eleven aerial victories claimed.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=272, 285}} For this, Strelow received the Iron Cross 1st Class ({{Lang|de|Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse}}) on 14 September.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=390}}
The ''Gruppe'' relocated to Sechtschinskaja, approximately {{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Roslavl, on 23 September from where the unit flew missions in the combat area east of Konotop. That day, Strelow claimed an I-18 fighter shot down.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=272, 285}} On 4 October during the Battle of Moscow, II. ''Gruppe'' moved to Sevsk for four days. Here Strelow claimed three aerial victories over DB-3 bombers on 5 October.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=277, 286}} On 11 October, the ''Gruppe'' was briefly detached from the ''Geschwaderstab'' (headquarters unit) of JG 51 and ordered east to Oryol. There, the ''Gruppe'' was subordinated to ''Gefechtsverband Schönborn'' (Detachment Schönborn), named after the commander of ''Sturzkampfgeschwader'' 77 (StG 77—77th Diver Bomber Wing), ''Major'' Clemens Graf von Schönborn-Wiesentheid.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=274}} Strelow was awarded the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe ({{lang|de|Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe}}) on 24 November.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=390}} Two days later, II. ''Gruppe'' relocated to an airfield at Kaluga, ending the assignment to ''Gefechtsverband Schönborn''. Operating from Kaluga, Strelow claimed a Pe-2 bomber shot down on 5 December northwest of Kashira.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|pp=275, 287}}
On 30 December, II. ''Gruppe'' moved to the Bryansk Airfield where the aircraft were serviced in hangars and the pilots had shelters.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=79}} From Bryansk, II. ''Gruppe'' supported the 2nd Panzer Group as well as the 4th Army in the combat area southwest of Moscow. Here, Strelow claimed his first aerial victories in 1942 on 4 January when he shot down two I-61 fighters. On 13 January, II. ''Gruppe'' claimed thirteen aerial victories including two Polikarpov R-Z reconnaissance bomber aircraft by Strelow.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|pp=81, 93}} On 27 January, Strelow was credited with the destruction of an I-26 fighter, an early German designation for a Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|pp=82, 94}} Fighting in the Battles of Rzhev against the Kalinin Front in early 1942, II. and IV. ''Gruppen'' of JG 51 had become the most successful units of VIII. ''Fliegerkorps'' (8th Air Corps). By end-February, three pilots of II. ''Gruppe'' had claimed 40 aerial victories, these were ''Oberfeldwebel'' Otto Tange, ''Oberfeldwebel'' Wilhelm Mink and Strelow.{{sfn|Bergström|Mikhailov|2001|pp=52, 54}}
===Squadron leader and death=== On 1 February 1942, Strelow was appointed ''Staffelführer'', a newly-appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader), of 5. ''Staffel'' of JG 51. He succeeded ''Oberleutnant'' Horst Geyer who had temporarily led the ''Staffel'' after its former commander, Grasser had taken command of II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 51.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=90}} Strelow was credited with his first aerial victories as ''Staffelkapitän'' on 4 February when he claimed four aerial victories on two separate combat missions, the first in the area of Yukhnov, and the second near Kaluga. Strelow claimed his 40th aerial victory on 28 February, a Pe-2 bomber shot down east of Bryansk.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}}
On 18 March, Strelow and fellow JG 51 pilot ''Oberleutnant'' Heinrich Krafft were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes}}) for 52 and 46 aerial victories claimed respectively.{{sfn|Weal|2001|p=45}}{{sfn|Weal|2006|p=122}} That day, he became an "ace-in-a-day", claiming seven aerial victories.{{sfn|Weal|2006|p=78}} Six days and 14 aerial victories later, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ({{lang|de|Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub}}) on 24 March for 66 aerial victories. He was the 84th and youngest member of the German armed forces to be so honored. The award was presented by Adolf Hitler at the ''Führerhauptquartier'' (Führer Headquarters) at Rastenburg on 26 March 1942.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=390}} On 30 March, the ''Luftwaffenpersonalamt'' (staff department) of the ''Reichsluftfahrtministerium'' (Ministry of Aviation) deferred a preferential promotion to ''Oberleutnant'' (first lieutenant) on account of his young age.{{sfn|Stockert|2012|p=391}} Following the award presentation, Strelow went on home leave.{{sfn|Page|2020|pp=100–101}}
Following his return to his unit, II. ''Gruppe'' was still based at Bryansk but periodically also operated from airfields at Oryol and Dugino.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|pp=280, 293}} On 18 May, Strelow claimed his 67th aerial victory when he shot down a MiG-3 fighter.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=295}} Four days later, Strelow committed suicide after he was shot down by a Pe-2 twin-engine bomber in his Bf 109 F-2 "Black 10" (''Werknummer'' 8239—factory number). He had made a forced landing {{convert|9|km|mi}} behind Soviet lines near Mtsensk and killed himself to avoid capture by the Red Army.{{sfn|Musciano|1982|pp=90–91}}{{sfn|Bergström|Mikhailov|2001|p=115}}{{sfn|Aders|Held|1993|pp=108–109}} He was succeeded by ''Oberleutnant'' Karl-Heinz Schnell as commander of 5. ''Staffel''.{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=293}}
==Summary of career== ===Aerial victory claims=== According to US historian David T. Zabecki, Strelow was credited with 68 aerial victories.{{sfn|Zabecki|2014|p=1616}} Obermaier lists him with 68 aerial victories claimed in over 200 combat missions.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=49}} Mathews and Foreman, authors of ''Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims'', researched the German Federal Archives and found documentation for 68 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1286–1287}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; text-align:right; width: 100%;" |- ! colspan="10" | Chronicle of aerial victories |- | colspan="10" style="text-align: left;" | {{legend|#fbec5d;|This and the ♠ (Ace of spades) indicates those aerial victories which made Strelow an "ace-in-a-day", a term which designates a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|#faecc8|This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} |- !scope="col" width="100px"| Claim !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Time !scope="col" width="100px"| Type !scope="col"| Location !scope="col" style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" width="100px" | Claim !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Time !scope="col" width="100px"| Type !scope="col"| Location |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1286}}<br /><small>Operation Barbarossa — 22 June – 5 December 1941</small> |- | 1 | 25 June 1941 | 10:55 | SB-2 | northeast of Vyhanaščanskaje Lake{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=280}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 13 | 5 October 1941 | 14:26 | DB-3 | northeast of Sevsk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=286}} |- | 2 | 30 June 1941 | 14:55 | DB-3 | Babruysk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=280}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 14 | 5 October 1941 | 14:28 | DB-3 | northeast of Sevsk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=286}} |- | 3 | 16 July 1941 | 16:16 | V-11 (Il-2) | east of Stara Bychow{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=282}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 15 | 5 October 1941 | 14:29 | DB-3 | northeast of Sevsk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=286}} |- | 4 | 30 August 1941 | 14:51 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=284}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 16 | 13 October 1941 | 11:20 | style="background:#faecc8" | R-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=286}}?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack aircraft.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1286}}|group="Note"|name="R-3"}} | |- | 5 | 30 August 1941 | 14:53 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=284}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 17 | 14 October 1941 | 11:15 | Il-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=286}} | |- | 6 | 30 August 1941 | 15:03 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=284}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 18 | 29 October 1941 | 07:22 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} | |- | 7 | 6 September 1941 | 16:22 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=285}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 19 | 1 November 1941 | 14:23 | style="background:#faecc8" | I-15?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Polikarpov I-153 fighter.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1286}}|group="Note"|name="I-153"}} | east of Oryol{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} |- | 8 | 7 September 1941 | 17:17 | style="background:#faecc8" | I-61?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Tupolev SB-2 bomber.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1286}}|group="Note"}} | west of Konotop{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=285}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 20 | 1 November 1941 | 15:30 | style="background:#faecc8" | I-16?<ref group="Note" name="I-153"/> | east of Oryol{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} |- | 9 | 9 September 1941 | 15:05 | style="background:#faecc8" | R-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=285}}?<ref group="Note" name="R-3"/> | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 21 | 5 November 1941 | 09:57 | Douglas (Boston){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} | |- | 10 | 13 September 1941 | 13:08 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=285}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 22 | 6 November 1941 | 10:13 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} | |- | 11 | 14 September 1941 | 06:23 | Pe-2 | east of Konotop{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=285}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 23 | 15 November 1941 | 10:25 | DB-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} | |- | 12 | 23 September 1941 | 16:23 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=285}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 24 | 5 December 1941 | 10:55 | Pe-2 | northwest of Kashira{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2003|p=287}} |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|pp=1286–1287}}<br /><small>Eastern Front — 6 December 1941 – 30 April 1942</small> |- | 25 | 14 December 1941 | 12:04 | DB-3 | northeast of Aleksin{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 46 | 9 March 1942 | 11:32 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 26 | 14 December 1941 | 12:20 | Pe-2 | northeast of Kaluga{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 47 | 9 March 1942 | 13:35 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 27 | 15 December 1941 | style="background:#faecc8" | 12:35?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:45.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1286}}|group="Note"}} | I-16{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 48 | 11 March 1942 | 13:37 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 28 | 4 January 1942 | 12:35 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 49 | 16 March 1942 | 08:35 | I-26 (Yak-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 29 | 4 January 1942 | 12:39 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 50 | 16 March 1942 | 09:25 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 30 | 13 January 1942 | 11:15 | style="background:#faecc8" | R-Z{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}}?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Polikarpov R-5 aircraft.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1287}}|group="Note"|name="R-5"}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 51 | 16 March 1942 | 13:52 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 31 | 13 January 1942 | 11:18 | style="background:#faecc8" | R-Z{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=93}}?<ref group="Note" name="R-5"/> | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 52 | 16 March 1942 | 16:35 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 32 | 27 January 1942 | 12:40 | I-26 (Yak-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 53♠ | 18 March 1942 | 12:16 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 33 | 4 February 1942 | 10:35 | style="background:#faecc8" | R-Z{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}}?<ref group="Note" name="R-5"/> | | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 54♠ | 18 March 1942 | 12:18 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 34 | 4 February 1942 | 10:40 | style="background:#faecc8" | I-18 (MiG-1)?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Seversky aircraft.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1287}}|group="Note"}} | south of Yukhnov{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 55♠ | 18 March 1942 | style="background:#faecc8" | 12:26?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 12:20.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1287}}|group="Note"}} | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 35 | 4 February 1942 | 15:30 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 56♠ | 18 March 1942 | 12:48 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | |- | 36 | 4 February 1942 | 15:35 | I-61 (MiG-3) | east of Kaluga{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 57♠ | 18 March 1942 | 16:12 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 37 | 15 February 1942 | 15:40 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 58♠ | 18 March 1942 | 16:15 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 38 | 16 February 1942 | 07:20 | Pe-2 | east of Bryansk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | style="border-left: 3px solid gray; background:#fbec5d;" | 59♠ | 18 March 1942 | 16:18 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 39 | 18 February 1942 | 11:11 | SB-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 60 | 19 March 1942 | 07:40 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 40 | 28 February 1942 | 09:56 | Pe-2 | east of Bryansk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=94}} | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 61 | 19 March 1942 | 07:50 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 41 | 6 March 1942 | 13:55 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 62 | 19 March 1942 | 07:55 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 42 | 6 March 1942 | 14:00 | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 63 | 19 March 1942 | style="background:#faecc8" | 13:53?{{Refn|According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:35.{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1287}}|group="Note"}} | I-61 (MiG-3){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 43 | 6 March 1942 | 17:00 | U-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 64 | 21 March 1942 | 12:35 | I-26 (Yak-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 44 | 6 March 1942 | 17:10 | I-18 (MiG-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 65 | 21 March 1942 | 12:52 | I-26 (Yak-1){{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- | 45 | 8 March 1942 | 10:53 | U-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=95}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 66 | 21 March 1942 | 14:55 | Pe-2{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2005|p=96}} | |- ! colspan="10" | – 5. ''Staffel'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 –{{sfn|Mathews|Foreman|2015|p=1287}}<br /><small>Eastern Front — 1 – 22 May 1942</small> |- | 67 | 18 May 1942 | 08:18 | MiG-3{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=295}} | | style="border-left: 3px solid grey;" | 68 | 22 May 1942 | 17:15 | Pe-2 | east of Mtsensk{{sfn|Prien|Stemmer|Rodeike|Bock|2006|p=295}} |}
===Awards=== * Iron Cross (1939) ** 2nd Class (5 July 1941){{sfn|Thomas|1998|p=362}} ** 1st Class (14 September 1941){{sfn|Thomas|1998|p=362}} * Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on 24 November 1941 as ''Leutnant'' and pilot{{sfn|Patzwall|2008|p=201}}{{refn|According to Obermaier in October 1941.{{sfn|Obermaier|1989|p=49}}|group="Note"}} * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ** Knight's Cross on 18 March 1942 as ''Leutnant'' and ''Staffelführer'' of the 5./''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 "Mölders"{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=731}}{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|pp=415, 505}} ** 84th Oak Leaves on 24 March 1942 as ''Leutnant'' and ''Staffelführer'' in the 5./''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 "Mölders"{{sfn|Scherzer|2007|p=731}}{{sfn|Fellgiebel|2000|p=59}}
==Notes== {{Reflist|group="Note"}}
==References==
===Citations=== {{Reflist|25em}}
===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin|30em}} * {{Cite book |last1=Aders |first1=Gebhard |last2=Held |first2=Werner |year=1993 |title=Jagdgeschwader 51 'Mölders' Eine Chronik – Berichte – Erlebnisse – Dokumente |trans-title=Fighter Wing 51 'Mölders' A Chronicle - Reports - Experiences - Documents |language=de |location=Stuttgart, Germany |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |isbn=978-3-613-01045-1 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Bergström |first1=Christer |author-link1=:sv:Christer Bergström |last2=Mikhailov |first2=Andrey |year=2001 |title=Black Cross / Red Star—The Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume II, Resurgence January–June 1942 |location=Pacifica, California |publisher=Pacifica Military History |isbn=978-0-935553-51-2 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Bergström |first1=Christer |author-link1=:sv:Christer Bergström |last2=Antipov |first2=Vlad |last3=Sundin |first3=Claes |year=2003 |title=Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces |location=Hamilton MT |publisher=Eagle Editions |isbn=978-0-9721060-4-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Fellgiebel |first=Walther-Peer |author-link=:de:Walther-Peer Fellgiebel |year=2000 |orig-year=1986 |title=Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile |trans-title=The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches |language=de |location=Friedberg, Germany |publisher=Podzun-Pallas |isbn=978-3-7909-0284-6 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Mathews |first1=Andrew Johannes |last2=Foreman |first2=John |year=2015 |title=Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z |location=Walton on Thames |publisher=Red Kite |isbn=978-1-906592-21-9 }} * {{Cite book |last=Musciano |first=Walter |year=1982 |title=Messerschmitt Aces |location=New York |publisher=Arco |isbn=978-0-668-04887-3 }} * {{Cite book |last=Obermaier |first=Ernst |year=1989 |title=Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 |trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945 |language=de |location=Mainz, Germany |publisher=Verlag Dieter Hoffmann |isbn=978-3-87341-065-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Page |first=Neil |year=2020 |title=Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1939–42 |location=Philadelphia, PA |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-61200-849-3 }} * {{Cite book |last=Patzwall |first=Klaus D. |year=2008 |title=Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg |trans-title=The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War |language=de |location=Norderstedt, Germany |publisher=Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall |isbn=978-3-931533-08-3 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2003 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 6/I—Unternehmen "BARBAROSSA"—Einsatz im Osten—22.6. bis 5.12.1941 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 6/I—Operation "BARBAROSSA"—Action in the East—22 June to 5 December 1941 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-69-4 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2005 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/I—Winterkampf im Osten—6.12.1941 bis 30.4.1942 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/I—Winter War in the East—6 December 1941 to 30 April 1942 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-76-2 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Prien |first1=Jochen |last2=Stemmer |first2=Gerhard |last3=Rodeike |first3=Peter |last4=Bock |first4=Winfried |year=2006 |title=Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 9/II—Vom Sommerfeldzug 1942 bis zur Niederlage von Stalingrad—1.5.1942 bis 3.2.1943 |trans-title=The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 9/II—From the 1942 Summer Campaign to the Defeat at Stalingrad—1 May 1942 to 3 February 1943 |language=de |location=Eutin, Germany |publisher=Struve-Druck |isbn=978-3-923457-77-9 }} * {{Cite book |last=Scherzer |first=Veit |year=2007 |title=Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives |trans-title=The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives |language=de |location=Jena, Germany |publisher=Scherzers Militaer-Verlag |isbn=978-3-938845-17-2 }} * {{Cite book |last=Stockert |first=Peter |year=2012 |orig-year=1996 |title=Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1 |trans-title=The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1 |edition=4th |language=de |location=Bad Friedrichshall, Germany |publisher=Friedrichshaller Rundblick |isbn=978-3-9802222-7-3 }} * {{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Franz |year=1998 |title=Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z |trans-title=The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2: L–Z |language=de |location=Osnabrück, Germany |publisher=Biblio-Verlag |isbn=978-3-7648-2300-9 }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2001 |title=Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front |series=Aircraft of the Aces |volume=37 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84176-084-1 }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2006 |title=Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" |series=Aviation Elite Units |volume=22 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84603-045-1 }} * {{Cite book |last=Weal |first=John |year=2007 |title=More Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front |series=Aircraft of the Aces |volume=76 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84603-177-9 }} * {{Cite book |editor-last=Zabecki |editor-first=David T. |editor-link=David T. Zabecki |title=Germany at War: 400 Years of Military History |location=Santa Barbara, California |publisher=ABC-Clio |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-59884-981-3 }} * {{Cite book |year=1985 |title=Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, 1. Januar 1942 bis 31. Dezember 1943 |trans-title=The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 2, 1 January 1942 to 31 December 1943 |language=German |location=München, Germany |publisher=Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG |isbn=978-3-423-05944-2 }} {{Refend}}
{{Knight's Cross recipients of JG 51}} {{Subject bar | portal1=Aviation | portal2=Biography }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Strelow, Hans}} Category:Luftwaffe pilots Category:1922 births Category:1942 deaths Category:Military personnel from Berlin Category:German World War II flying aces Category:Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Category:Missing in action of World War II Category:Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Category:1942 suicides Category:Suicides by firearm in the Soviet Union Category:German military personnel who died by suicide